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Session topic:
Other than money, how should governments best influence the direction and competitiveness of our economy?
Michel Brassard: Government trade missions should include local businesses
Brian Rizok:
Branka Kovacevic: I'm skeptical about this trade missions, I recently went on one to China. They are copying our ideas and not giving us the business. The government should facilitate development within our own borders.
Michel Brassard: Is there enough of a market in Canada to support business here?
Branka: We are going to change our philosophy on how we make a living. I told my employees that I have to lower their wages.
Michel: Should the government impose a wage freeze like Trudeau did?
Branka: In Texas they've lowered wages and the jobs are coming back.
Brian: You end up paying people under the table.
Michel: The government can't have any influence on the underground economy.
Brian: The WSIB has to be reasonable, but they are taking their regulations to another degree of "sanitation". They are arrogant. As a manufacturer we keep getting slammed. The government is in every pocket.
Michel: Should the government setup a "centre of excellence" in Windsor.
Branka: I don't employ 200 people, I employ 10 people and they all have steady work. But the big companies get all the help. I am paying taxes to support government grants to keep those big companies. If I make a mistake in my business I have to pay for my mistakes. Government has to have some packages for small businesses, I feel like I'm a micro sized company.
Brian: We are here, this is very big for us. I'm ready to take my moulds and go to Detroit and setup shop there. I don't sell to Canada, I only sell to the US. I've watched my friends go bankrupt in this city. There have been suicides.
